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FEATURES
42
A Family Affair
Designer Kara Cox fills this couple's new home with color and livability for the whole family, grandchildren included.
52 Cool and Collected
After a lengthy renovation, designer Lisa Sherry brought one couple’s contemporary dreams to life.
60
In the Details
Architectural details and colorful interiors by designer Allan Chapman revive a home in Winston-Salem.
The
In the mountains of Virginia, a special Auberge property boasts
An exclusive To-the-Trade showroom for Interior Designers
Sourcing the finest examples of handmade rugs in all styles. View our extensive collection of samples, ready to carry rugs and our custom capabilities.
he golden hour; it’s a term used in a few different professions, from photography, to healthcare, to spiritual guidance. It’s the concept that there is one particular hour that is the most important to gain the most advantage.
We’d like to propose the golden hour of gathering. One hour into entertaining, when everyone has arrived, comfort has settled in, and the din of laughter and chatter has become a lovely low hum in the background. That’s when the magic happens. The atmosphere is festive, loneliness takes a hike, and any seasonal blues might be chased away by the warmth of being together with old and new friends.
Our annual Great Gatherings issue is meant to celebrate the time of year that brings people together the most, and in the warmest atmospheres designed; sometimes that’s in a stunning dining room, sometimes it’s in a perfectly positioned living room, and, even occasionally, it’s next to a well-stocked bar. Ultimately, those are just trappings for a fun and beautiful gathering, but the true feeling of warmth comes from the people you share it with.
Hug your loved ones tighter, spread 100 percent more joy and kindness, and create your own golden hour this season.
Blake Miller and Anne Marie Ashley Co-Editors-in-Chief
on the cover
HD D&
HOME DESIGN & DECOR
Publisher
Michael Kooiman
Associate Publisher
Oonagh Murray
SALES
Advertising and Marketing Consultant
Sue Mooney
EDITORIAL
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Anne Marie Ashley
Blake Miller
Associate Editor
Karin Simoneau
DESIGN
Art Director
Lindsay Richards
PRODUCTION
Production Coordinator
Shelley Kemper
Ad Support
Stacy Long
Writers
Maria Masters
Dana W. Todd
Photography
Anna Routh Barzin
Chris Edwards
Dustin and Susie Peck
Laura Sumrak
Stacey Van Berkel
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“This dining room was made for hosting fabulous dinners.”
—Charlotte Lucas
GOLDEN HOUR
These stunning spaces create pure gathering magic.
Produced by Anne Marie Ashley
“The papered ceiling and deep wall color envelop you and make you want to linger in this room.”
—Jess Borrelli
TUCKED AWAY
This unused dining room was transformed into a hip lounge hangout when designer
of
it.
The intimate and feminine space was
for a
and
the
or a
of
at night with friends.
“This room is a cozy spot to enjoy the extensive vinyl collection while gathering around the cocktail ottoman for drinks and conversation.”
—Lauren Hood
AFTER HOURS
Lauren Hood of Progeny Interiors created this midcentury-modern flex space for a client who needed to make better use of their dining room, which was seldom used because of their eat-in kitchen. The new versatile space beckons adults to unwind with a blend of sophistication and comfort, alongside playful, funky elements. It’s a perfect perch for curling up with a good book, listening to music, or entertaining friends.
“It's an inviting room. It’s not too precious or perfect, but a happy backdrop to many family dinners and memories.”
—Maggie Dillon
SUPPER CLUB
Applying her signature mix of colors and patterns, the character shines in this dining room designed by Maggie
Her client was set on keeping the heirloom dining table and chairs, but to prevent them from looking too matchy-matchy,
added the dramatic, feminine skirt to the dining chairs in one of her favorite Décors
7400 Six Forks Road, Suite 19
Raleigh, NC 27615
www.thecenterpiece.com
919.870.5342 contact@thecenterpiece.com
"It’s the perfect gathering space for casually sophisticated entertaining.”
—Vicky Serany
DINNER PARTY
Designed by Vicky Serany and Southern Studio, this stunning dining room was always intended to make a statement—a priority for this color-and-entertaining-loving couple. The evocative wall mural anchors the space and creates a beautiful and relaxed environment for hosting dinners.
Generation Next
Drawing inspiration from documents, artifacts, and cultural references to Japan, Clarence House’s new À La Japonaise collection has been expertly translated into twenty-first-century context. The result is an artful collection of wallpapers and fabrics with updated scale, linework, textile techniques, and a careful selection of colors. clarencehouse.com
The Dude
Anyone who has seen The Big Lebowski can attest to the movie’s cult following, and Hygge & West has introduced the Abide line, dedicated to the movie’s singular characters, striking imagery, and oft-quoted dialogue. The perfect design for the biggest fans. hyggeandwest.com
Right On
Designers Berkeley Minkhorst and Kelley Lentini of House of Nomad are excited to release their second fabric and wallpaper collection since 2021. This wanderlustinspired collection pulls directly from their sketchbooks and dabbles in patterns reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. The results are vibrant and personal, with bold graphics and fearless color pairings. houseofnomaddesign.com
Deck the WALLS
If these walls could talk, they would beg to be dressed in these latest releases.
Produced by Anne Marie Ashley
Flora and Fauna
Inspired by their fan favorite Fauna mural, North Carolina’s own House of Harris has released a new collection of wallcoverings featuring Cherry Blossom, Peony, and Petite Peony. The vintage, beautifully aged feel of the Fauna panels has been translated in the same classic colorways but are infused with the bold and feminine feel that speaks to the eclectic and refined aesthetic for which House of Harris is known. houseofharris.com
Wanderlust
Raleigh-based designer Michelle Murphy of Demi Ryan dropped a new collection of made-to-order wallpapers this fall. Each of the four patterns is designed to evoke a sense of wonder and excitement, varying in both bold hues, like All Eyes on You, and calming ones, like this Waves of Wonder. demiryan.com
Paradise Found
This new Latin-inspired collection from Schumacher by luxury brand Johanna Ortiz connects all the pieces in the line through the repetition of Ortiz's signature palm tree design. Ortiz weaves her Columbian heritage into each wallpaper and fabric selection, like this tropical safari paper that combines traditional French toile de Jouy motifs with African wax prints, depicting lush forests and palms from the Orinoco River. schumacher.com
Return of the Mack
One-hundred-year-old company Bassett McNab has reintroduced a wallpaper line for the first time in five years. Acquired in 2019 by Stout Textiles, Bassett McNab is known for their classic fabrics and timeless designs, and their newest line, Revival, explodes with an exquisite blend of charm and modernity in a rejuvenation of age-old patterns imbued with fresh colors. bassettmcnab.com
Kenya Bound
Represented in Charlotte by Hidell Brooks Gallery, artist Kiki Slaughter has released her Kenya Collection, which celebrates the captivating colors and patterns of this enchanting destination, from zebra stripes to the Maasai Mara region. “My appreciation for gingham was reignited by the vibrant hues and patterns of the shukas worn by the Maasai tribe,” says Slaughter, “and I’ve reimagined this traditional design with a whimsical mix of colors that offer a painterly dimension.” kikislaughter.com
1. Double Trouble
Make storage a beauty-moment.
“I love a beautiful spot to house all barware, and this setup provides easy access. Small puck lights illuminate each shelf, highlighting beautiful glassware and bottles while also creating a well-lit mixing station. Win-win!”
2. Off Balance
Create a work/ serving surface.
“Putting your sink to the side of your bar rather than the middle allows for ample serving space when entertaining. Balance the offcenter sink with some height on the other side by using things like pretty bottles, a beautiful plant, or picture frames.”
3. Master of Deception
Functionality is a priority, but looks are king.
“We couldn’t sacrifice the aesthetics just for tall spirits, so we got creative with the liquor-bottle storage and designed a false drawer front that hides a much deeper drawer. This allows space while maintaining design and balance.”
BAR KEEP
Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or kicking your evening into high-gear with friends, your home bar should expertly execute both form and function. Designer Whitney Sturge shares a few of her best barkeep secrets.
Produced by Anne Marie Ashley
Now Open in CHARLOTTE!
The 135-year-old heritage design house Schumacher is proud to have opened its doors to a brand-new luxury shopping boutique for design lovers and a to-the-trade showroom for interior designers in the heart of Dilworth. Be sure to stop in and visit Charlotte’s go-to source for home accessories, furniture, and a whole lot more!
SCHUMACHER CHARLOTTE | 301 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203 | 980-217-5800
Boutique Hours: Tues–Sat, 11am to 7pm | Showroom: Mon–Fri, 9am to 5pm schumacherboutique.com
Designer Lindsay Speace plummets into
AS SOON AS the temperature starts to dip, I find myself gravitating toward richer jewel tones. Aubergine is a perennial favorite that packs a visual punch in an elevated way. Historically, it was the color of royalty! Art and textiles are almost always the jumping-off points for my design work, and John Funt is an artist who is solidly on my “someday” list. The hint of aubergine in Peonies on Pink was the inspiration for this palette, which I imagined as an enveloping retreat for a primary bedroom.
with deep, moody tones of aubergine. 1. Bobbin Bed / to the trade / aestheticdecor.com 2. Peonies on Pink by John Funt / $8,500 / bunnywilliamshome.com 3. Zak + Fox Wallpaper / to the trade / zakandfox.com 4. Stephen Gerould Water Drop Lamp / to the trade / stephengerould.com 5. Nickey Kehoe Jigsaw Throw / $200 / nickeykehoe.com 6. Wesley Hall Cooper Chair / to the trade / wesleyhall.com 7. KRB Freddie Table / $2,145 / krbnyc.com 8. Perrotine Eudora Lampshade / $360 / perrotine.co 9. Urban Electric Co. Derby Flushmount in Mulberry / to the trade / urbanelectric.com 10. Namay Samay Anar Fabric / to the trade / namaysamay.com 11. Get the Gusto Handwoven Frame / inquire for price / getthegusto.com
THE CENTERPIECE
The boutique lodge, pictured, is home to twenty-six luxury suites, private stand-alone cottages, and treehouse accommodations. But the pièce de résistance is the new six-bedroom Hawk Eye estate. The ultra-private home sits at one of the resort’s highest peaks and boasts sweeping views of the Virginia Highlands, which you can take in by the heated pool or spa.
INTO THE WOODS
Just over the state line in Virginia stands one of the South’s most luxurious and welcoming escapes.
Text by Blake Miller
THE LONG, WINDING ROAD to the top of the mountain takes about twenty minutes—but it’s worth every switchback. Just as you crest the mountain, a grand, modern lodge reveals itself. Surrounded by green in every direction, Primland is reminiscent of High Hampton in Cashiers, North Carolina, offering luxury accommodations in a rustic setting. Like High Hampton, this Auberge property also recently received an interior facelift by Dallas-based designer Chad Dorsey. The result is a resort that is approachable but wholly elegant, showcasing a blend of American and European antiques paired with iconic plaids, florals, and rustic wood finishes.
While amenities such as a private wine-tasting room, a heated indoor pool, a spa, and an observatory are highlights, Primland’s outdoor options are the true gem here. Guests can take in the beauty of all twelve-thousand acres by horse or RTV, both of which immerse you into the resort’s stunning natural beauty and offer unparalleled views you can only experience off-road. Adventurists will bask in the hunting options, where guides will lead you on a hunt or clay shooting, while fishing guides will show you how to fly fish along the six-mile stretch of the Dan River. Unwind after the long day with a wine and charcuterie tasting or a moonshine flight.
As part of the resort’s refresh, the main dining option received a makeover and was renamed Leatherflower. The timeless grasscloth wallcoverings coupled with classic florals and plaids set the tone for an elevated dining experience spearheaded by Chef Zach Long. Seasonal menus showcasing ingredients from the property’s farm and greenhouse, as well as local mills and farms, elevate the dining experience.
Designer Chad Dorsey reimagined the interiors of the public spaces, including the two-story Great Hall, adding sophisticated but warm touches like an elegant amber-hued Pierre Frey wallcovering in the nearby study.
Seen + Scene
The Triangle design community gathered to give at two annual charitable events.
Design Matters 2024
The Green Chair Project Chairity 2024
1.
Beverly McIver: Painters I Love
CRAVEN ALLEN GALLERY | NOVEMBER 16–JANUARY 25, 2025
Beverly McIver: Painters I Love features work by Clarence Heyward, William Paul Thomas, Lamar Whidbee, Michael Dixon, Richard Garrison, and Pedro Lasch. Beverly McIver chose artists whom she believes are modern masters in the art of painting, and this exhibition showcases some surprising collaborations between some of them. Opening reception on Saturday, November 16. cravenallengallery.com
Reclaimed Nature
THE CENTERPIECE GALLERY | DECEMBER 6–JANUARY 10, 2025
The Centerpiece Gallery’s December Spotlight exhibit, Reclaimed Nature, features wood artist Jeff Mead, who is debuting his new collection, alongside mixed media artist Kathleen Deep. Using 100 percent salvaged and stormdamaged wood, Mead saves the tree’s legacy and often highlights the imperfections, rot, and cracks. He states, "Just like in life, without the ugly, there is no beauty." Deep’s textural work uses raw, dried, natural materials, collage, and unconventional mediums to create landscapes and waterways inspired by the places she wanders and wades in. Meet both artists at the First Friday opening reception on December 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. thecenterpiece.com
Whippersnappers
HISTORIC STAGVILLE | NOVEMBER 16–JANUARY 17, 2025
Whippersnappers: Recapturing, Reviewing, and Reimagining the Lives of Enslaved Children in the United States, is an interactive installation featuring twenty new works on view in the preserved home of the former plantation owners. African American artist and educator Maya Freelon utilizes her signature “bleeding” tissue paper technique alongside printed archival photographs, monoprints, painting, collage, and sculptures. Through these delicate and natural materials, the subjects of Freelon’s artwork appear both fragile and resilient. “Through Whippersnappers, I want to use the healing potential of art to shine a light on a subject often ignored and reclaim a space that was once used to disempower and oppress,” said Freelon. “If we give voice to the voiceless, we have the power to redefine our collective history.” historicsites.nc.gov
INTERIORS
A Family
In the bunk-bed room, Cox painted the wood a gender-neutral green for the homeowners' six grandchildren.
“It’s fun, colorful, and a place where kids want to spend time together,” says
Affair
DESIGNER KARA COX INFUSES VIBRANT HUES AND BOLD FLORAL PATTERNS INTO ONE COUPLE’S NEWLY BUILT HOME.
SUSAN AND MARK DOUGHTON DIDN’T INTEND TO BUILD A NEW HOME, BUT THAT ALL CHANGED ONCE THEY BECAME GRANDPARENTS IN 2017.
“We needed a yard,” says Susan, which their previous home in Winston-Salem didn’t have. “There was a stone patio and a pool, but there wasn’t any place for them to play ball or run around.”
The need for a yard became more urgent as one grandchild became two, and then three. “It seemed like we had a new grandchild every year,” Susan jokes. In the spring of 2021, the Doughtons found the perfect lot in Winston-Salem—an acre of land located about ten minutes away from their church. There was only one problem: there was no house on it.
At first, Susan was daunted by the idea of building a home from the ground up. But the opportunity to customize the house around their growing family was too good to pass up. They turned to architect Gregory Koester and interior designer Kara Cox, who worked together on the design of the home. “I knew, with all the choices I would have to make, that I needed them from the beginning,” says Susan.
Cox tailored the floor plan even before construction broke ground by adding the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the entryway for a grand statement and a box-beam ceiling in the dining room to highlight Susan’s request for a Visual Comfort chandelier. She also began incorporating a palette of greens and blues (Susan’s favorite colors) throughout the interior in a range of bright shades and bold patterns. “What drew me to Kara was her use of color,” Susan says. “I didn’t want a neutral house.”
Another draw for Susan was Cox’s updated-but-classic aesthetic, one that marries antique furnishings with contemporary art. Cox took advantage of many of the homeowners’ antiques, including a chest of drawers and a nineteenth-century heirloom cabinet, as well as pieces from Susan’s modern art collection, which hang above the fireplace and in the entryway. “We used the colors from the paintings as inspiration,” says Cox.
But for Cox, form and function go hand-in-hand. Since the home featured floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room, Cox clad the chairs and banquette seating in an outdoor fabric, which is resistant to fading. And in the owner’s bedroom, the windows feature custom drapery, which are hard-wired to open and close by remote control. “You don’t want to have to pull open all those curtains by hand every morning,” says Cox.
The home, says Susan, is “beautiful yet livable.” But the highlight is undoubtedly the bunk-bed room, which was designed specifically for sleepover parties with the grandchildren. The room features a wall of bunk beds and a daybed to accommodate the homeowners’ grandchildren, which now number six—five boys and one girl.
True to its purpose, the home is a hub of activity for the grandchildren, who often come over on the weekend to play soccer in the yard or watch football and baseball games in the sunroom. “So many great memories will be made there,” says Cox.
In Susan's study, which was originally intended to be
COOL AND COLLECTED
AFTER A LENGTHY RENOVATION, DESIGNER LISA SHERRY BROUGHT ONE COUPLE’S CONTEMPORARY DREAMS TO LIFE.
The homeowners knocked down the existing walls to create a fluid, seamless space between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Neutral hues and white-oak flooring set the tone in the contemporary home.
WWhen the Stewarts first purchased their home in Raleigh, they never imagined that most of it would be torn down. But that’s exactly what happened—while they were on vacation, no less.
“A neighbor sent me a picture of the staircase, with a quote saying, ‘stairway to heaven,’” the homeowner recalls. The couple had been working with an architect on a renovation, and, initially, they thought they’d be able to preserve many parts of the house. But when demolition began, it soon became clear that the home was no longer up to code, and nearly all of it—including much of the second floor—would have to be rebuilt.
“We went on a cruise, and when we came back, the whole house was gone,” the homeowner says. Where some people see disaster, however, the Stewarts saw opportunity. While they kept the stairway in the same location, they widened the rooms around it, knocked down the surrounding walls in the kitchen and living room, and added floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the space. The result was an open floor plan with sight lines that stretched from the front of the home to the back, complete with plenty of natural light.
When it came time to design the interiors, however, there were no surprises. The homeowners knew they wanted to collaborate with Lisa Sherry of Lisa Sherry Interieurs, having worked with her fifteen years earlier on another renovation—a complete redesign of their condo, which had flooded. Right from the start, Sherry and the homeowners were a design match made in heaven: “Lisa has a very clean, sleek, sophisticated look,” says the homeowner, who also prefers a neutral, contemporary aesthetic.
Sherry set the tone by selecting a nine-inch knotty oak floor, which runs throughout the house. She then added interest to a neutral palette by layering in a luxurious mix of textures and materials, from wooden tables to glass lamps to linen draperies. In the living room, a white plaster fireplace takes center stage, offset by a white gesso coffee table and a bleached silk-wool rug. The kitchen is also neutral-toned, with white quartz countertops and custom-built cabinetry in white. But the showstopper is arguably the dining room, where
In the kitchen, a ten-foot island provides plenty of prep space for the homeowners, who love to cook. The Wolf range provides a pop of color to an otherwise neutral space, and the open shelving allows for styling.
Counters: Lapitec Bianco.
Stove: Wolf Range.
Refrigerator: Wolf Sub-Zero Panel Ready Fridge.
a multitiered chandelier hangs over the white cerused midcentury-modern table. “It took me a second to like the chandelier, but I trusted her, and now it’s one of my favorite things in the house,” says the homeowner.
One room of the house, though, was infused with a bold, dark palette: the Stewarts’ media room. “It was a departure from the overall light, bright aesthetic of the rest of the home,” says Sherry. There, the homeowners watch football on the two large televisions. A custombuilt wet bar, with built-in shelves, hosts a collection of sports memorabilia—many of the items autographed by famous athletes, such as Peyton Manning.
The result is a home that’s elegant and refined, but also livable. Not only do the homeowners do plenty of entertaining, but they also have a large Golden Retriever who loves to run around the home. And while it helps that the dog also has white fur, the functionality of the home is also a testament to Sherry’s vision. “I told her I wanted everything to not only look pretty, but to also be comfortable and usable,” says the homeowner. “And she knocked it out of the park.”
IN THE Details
DESIGNER ALLAN CHAPMAN AND ARCHITECT GREGORY KOESTER INFUSE A WINSTON-SALEM HOME WITH CHARMING ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS.
They wanted something old , something with charm and character , and, by definition, something that was not new construction.
But after looking for nearly twelve months for an older home, this Winston-Salem couple gave up on their vision of an older home filled with intricate architectural details. “We decided that maybe we had to build new after all,” says the homeowner.
To their delight, they soon discovered that new construction did not preclude character. In fact, when the couple enlisted the help of architect Gregory Koester and designer Allan Chapman, they were amazed to see that their from-the-ground-up home in the Buena Vista neighborhood could easily boast all the same architectural details they’d come to know and love in the early twentieth-century homes inhabiting the WinstonSalem area. “Who knew that we could infuse the home with everything we loved in the historic older homes you see here?” says the homeowner.
Their new Georgian home with white brick exterior was the catalyst for the interior design, which Chapman managed. “The wife had grown up in a very formal home, so she really appreciated that formality of a traditional home,” explains Chapman. “The architectural details were so important to them, as was not having a massive, open floor plan. They liked having more separation between rooms so they’d feel warm and cozier versus vast and stark.” Decorative detail on the glass of the front door set the tone for what’s inside: subtle but impactful millwork, archways, and herringbone hardwood floors throughout the home. “The architect was great about varying the ceiling height of each room and creating these seamless transitions from space to space via the architectural details so that there’s movement and a flow to the home.”
The interiors complement the traditional details, but Chapman “had to really bridge the gap between the formal and traditional the clients wanted with the functionality and comfortability of everyday life with a growing family,” he explains. “She had a very grand vision for the home and really appreciated that, but she also realized the need to be practical.” Adds the homeowner, “We wanted a traditional look, but a little bit more updated. We wanted a lot of color and everything to feel light and bright and open.”
Existing pieces of furniture were recovered in gold silk or damask, but in the foyer, a settee received a makeover
with a soft blue velvet by Pindler topped with a printed linen pillow, instantly injecting new life into the older piece. “It’s still a very traditional piece of furniture, but it suddenly feels more casual and fun with new upholstery,” says Chapman, who steered away from heavy, dark, and sometimes abrasive silks or wool blends to keep things light and soft to the touch.
Though it took nearly a year to decide to pivot and build new, the couple is ecstatic with how their home turned out. “I’m not very good at expressing what I want, so Allan did a great job reading between the lines,” says the homeowner. For Chapman, the coupling of traditional architectural details with updated finishes and fabrics made all the difference. “It has the bones of a traditional home, but it has interiors that are classic and timeless. That will live on for them for a very long time.”
“It has the bones of a traditional home, but it has interiors that are classic and timeless. That will live on for them for a very long time.”
—ALLAN CHAPMAN
I
As avid entertainers and cooks, the homeowners wanted a highfunctioning kitchen, so Chapman outfitted the space with nearly two of everything, from dishwashers and sinks to silverware drawers.
RESOURCES
Modern Family Living
DESIGNER MARTHA SCHNEIDER of La Maison wanted to create a timeless and functional home for a family of four, focusing on comfort while keeping traditional flair. To achieve this, Schneider incorporated various finish details, luxurious paint colors, lighting, wallpaper, fabrics, and trims to connect the home’s rich history to modern living. The kitchen and living room were separate and closed off in the original floor plan, but by opening both rooms, Schneider created a more spacious and lightfilled environment. This older home begged for contemporary updates throughout. The fireplace was redesigned with traditional details for a modern family and an elevated look that complemented the triumphant vaulted ceilings, which draw the eye upward. The result is a stunning transformation that made this home both a reflection of its historical roots and a warm, inviting space for modern family living.
For more information, visit lamaisonraleigh.com.
Steven Shell Living welcomes designers and homebuilding professionals to its Raleigh showroom.
Text by Dana W. Todd
A TELLTALE SIGN of a top-tier retail design store is when its client roster includes a bevy of interior designers and builders applauding its products and services.
“We have an active to-the-trade program that caters to the needs of local designers, stagers, architects, and builders. Whether they need to furnish one room or an entire home, we offer the latest case goods, artwork, accessories, and furniture collections in a range of styles, including from our well-known founder and furniture designer, Steven Shell,” says Kaleigh Koch, Raleigh store manager at Steven Shell Living. “Designers love to bring their clients into our 6,000-square-foot-showroom and retail store to sit-test chairs and sectionals and pull fabric samples to try out on-site in clients’ homes. Some trade professionals use us for quick cash-and-carry accessories as finishing touches in homes on installation day.”
Designer Mary Lynn Reuter of AR Homes is a big fan of Steven Shell Living. “Even though I shop at the Atlanta market, I rely on Steven Shell Living for what I call personality pieces—accessories and artwork that pull together a design,” she says. “They do such a good job setting up vignettes that are regularly refreshed. Since they display the artwork on the walls where I can see the colors, sizes, and textures of the different pieces, I can more easily determine what will work in my clients’ homes instead of relying on a website. I buy three to five art pieces for each home we build, and Steven Shell Living
fits my need for accessories and art, whether I’m buying for a current job or advance shopping for a special room.”
“What I love about the store and its staff is that if I already have a vision of how the design is going to look, I don’t even have to step foot in the store,” says designer Hannah French of The Highpoint House. “Kaleigh and her team will send options to me electronically. They will ship furniture from their Charleston location if it’s not in the Raleigh store to make sure I have what I need. I place at least one piece of Steven Shell Living furniture in every home I design, and I even have one of their sectionals in my own home.”
By offering specials to the trade industry, Steven Shell Living has developed a dedicated following in the Raleigh design community. “We put things aside for our regular designers,” says Koch. “We know exactly what they want because we work with them so closely. We stock what they need, whether that’s cash-and-carry options or fully customizable furniture.”
“ ” We have an active to-the-trade program that caters to the needs of local designers, stagers, architects, and builders.
—Kaleigh Koch
Looking to design a luxury-level kitchen or bath? Look no further than R. Jacobs Fine Plumbing & Hardware for top-shelf fixtures, hardware, and sinks.
Parties Ahead
Gift yourself plenty of time to design an outdoor kitchen before warmer weather arrives.
Text by Dana W. Todd
THERE’S A LITTLE SECRET in the outdoor living industry. Many vendors market their outdoor kitchens and cabana makeovers in early spring, when homeowners’ thoughts turn to sunshine-filled days outside by the grill and the pool, but this is not the optimal time of year to begin a new project. Because people anticipate the change of season and begin to think about what a new outdoor kitchen could add to their lives and their homes, there’s a longer wait time for products, design services, and installation. A better time to design and install an outdoor kitchen or a cabana with an outdoor shower is on the cusp of cool weather, just as the holiday season approaches. Which means that today is go time.
Homeowners can level up their outdoor kitchen and shower designs by relying on R. Jacobs Fine Plumbing & Hardware and its longstanding vendor connections, including Sonoma Forge. “R. Jacobs carries a full line of luxury faucets and sinks designed for outdoor applications, and our staff members are happy to create an outdoor space customized for our clients using established, elegant European and American brands that are designed for longevity in recreational spaces exposed to the elements,” says founder Rick Jacobs.
“
” R. Jacobs carries a full line of luxury faucets and sinks designed for outdoor applications.
—Rick Jacobs
The showroom also carries outdoor-grade stainless steel sinks and workstations by Quebec-based Home Refinements Julien. Some homeowners find great value in new silgranit sinks—a mixture of natural and composite stones molded together to easily handle outdoor temperature fluctuations while maintaining their great looks and functionality.
R. Jacobs has a steadfast partnership with Julien, a resource for the remaining components of a complete outdoor kitchen. Julien provides top-of-the-line outdoor stainless-steel cabinetry for a totally customized kitchen, as well as a line of outdoor appliances and stainless steel and granite countertops. Relying on the expertise of R. Jacobs and the company’s carefully cultivated relationship with Julien allows homeowners to seamlessly create a fully bespoke outdoor kitchen, cabana, and outdoor shower.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a stress-free planning session in the R. Jacobs showroom. The endless customization options enable homeowners to design spaces to their specific standards. Planning and installing your outdoor kitchen during the colder weather provides an effortless jump-start to al fresco entertaining when the first bit of spring sunshine appears.
Contact R. Jacobs Fine Plumbing & Hardware at 919-720-4202 or visit rjacobsfph.com.
PRIVATE | GATED | LUXURY
The moment you enter the grand gated entrance, you are welcomed by rolling hills, gently winding roads and beautiful vistas. Grand Highland Estates was thoughtfully planned to preserve the land’s natural beauty and provide the elements you need for a life of beauty, tranquility, privacy and luxury. The individually crafted homes, built by a team of award-winning builders, are designed to blend with today’s modern lifestyles for the best in relaxation, entertaining, work, play and connection. With spacious living areas, gourmet kitchens, lavish baths and high-end finishes, you’ll experience luxury in every detail. Homes from $1.6 Million to $3 Million+ | Sales and Marketing By Morgan Womble Group + Compass | 919-457-9002
David Payne Contributor
No-Holds-Barred
Text by David Payne, Owner of Home & Garden Landscapes
CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL conditions
or problem areas in the yard can feel limiting, but a simple shift in mindset and a flex of creative muscle can turn those challenges into assets. By working with, and not against, the existing environment, viable solutions to perceived landscaping barriers are at your fingertips.
Consider what cannot be changed: the sun and wind exposure of certain garden beds. Perhaps there’s a spot in front of the brick chimney where plants usually scorch from heat radiating from the masonry construction. Instead of fighting the environment, embrace it by installing a plant that loves excessive sun and heat.
Perennials such as Lantana and Butterfly Bush offer a couple of different plant heights that work wonderfully well in these blazing hot locations. Not only will they succeed under the harsh rays, but they will flourish by prolifically blooming in such a micro-environment with little or no irrigation. As a bonus, hummingbirds and butterflies love the flowers’ nectar from both shrubs.
If you have a favorite plant you’d like to include in the landscape, add it to the side of your home that is most suited to its ideal growing environment. Plantings on the northern side of a home tolerate cool, shadier conditions, while sun lovers prefer the southern side of
a home. The western side usually receives the most wind, so avoid planting shrubs that dislike cold breezes during the wintertime.
Embrace existing conditions by recognizing people’s natural walking paths. If visitors and family members take a shortcut through the garden beds to your home’s entrance, give in and make it a functional, landscaped walkway. Create flow by adding stepping stones or a hardscaped stone walking path instead of blocking the easy point of access to your home.
Work with nature in other trouble spots. Consider an area of the yard with very acidic soil, such as under pine trees, where falling pine needles ensure the soil stays at a certain pH level. Understory plantings that actually enjoy acidic conditions, such as camellias and rhododendrons, fill out the space and thrive in this type of planting arrangement. Similarly, turn a rocky section of the yard into a rugged rock garden speckled with succulent plants or a stone-filled streaming water feature.
It’s best to give up the fight against the topography and instead enhance what nature has provided by adding the appropriate hardscape and landscape features. Transforming an inhospitable spot is as easy as letting nature lead the design process.
“Transforming an inhospitable spot is as easy as letting nature lead the design process.”
An award winning custom home builder in the Triangle area, Blue Heron Signature Homes is dedicated to building their clients the luxury home they've dreamed of. Our attention to detail, experience and commitment to excellence speaks through in our craftsmanship, communication, and dedication. With a strong foundation of trust, integrity and experience in the luxury market, Blue Heron Signature Homes values each aspect of the home building process. Our clients are the heart-beat of what we do, day in and day out.
We believe a custom home should leave you truly inspired. The home building process should remain exhilarating, personal and enjoyable while our team of architects, designers and construction personnel make a breathtaking vision come to life. Our goals run parallel with our mission: build the life you want to live, through excellence.
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Meet Michelle Bradley Robertson
GROWING UP as the daughter of a third-generation cotton and peanut farmer, Michelle Bradley Robertson’s connection to the land profoundly influences her art and designs. Robertson is the founder and designer of clothing line House of MBR, known for its colorful patterned caftans and tunics, and based in Rocky Mount, where she currently resides. These North Carolina roots consistently inspire her designs. “I am deeply inspired by the rich history and natural beauty of Eastern North Carolina,” says the mom of one. “Fashion and interior design are intimately connected, especially through the use of color. Color has a near-magical ability to evoke emotions, create connections, and bring warmth, acting as a bridge to cherished memories and personal style.” Here, the fashion designer lets us in on her favorite picks for winter.
“I love these beautifully curated bags that flow perfectly together for easy travel. I collaborated with
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“Every holiday season I pull out my twentyyear-old apple cone to create an orange and evergreen topiary for my table. I think everyone needs one! This one is a great go-to made in Alabama by
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“These lamps are always the perfect, classic statement. You can never go wrong with Wildwood. A North Carolina company based in Rocky Mount, Wildwood has been family owned and operated for three generations.”